What’s the Deal with Weed Hangovers?

A hangover is the word used to describe the residual effects of a drug, in the period immediately after the acute effects have worn off. We know about hangovers from alcohol and other drugs. But what about cannabis?  

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Are weed hangovers a thing? If you have the misfortune to experience one, what can you do about it? On the flip side, can you use weed to cure a hangover caused by alcohol?

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We’ve rounded up all the science and the legends, so read on.

Can You Get a Hangover From Weed?

For many, the answer is a resounding yes. It might not be well-documented in the scientific literature, but the fact is that people get hangovers from weed all the time. People anecdotally report symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, dry eyes and mouth, mood changes, lethargy, headaches, and nausea. Only a handful of studies actually mention hangover effects from weed, such as fogginess or reduced alertness.

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For others, one of the major advantages of weed is that, unlike alcohol, it doesn’t give them a hangover. This is yet another aspect of cannabis use that is highly individualized.

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That shouldn’t come as a surprise. People vary widely in their ability to metabolize the psychotropic components of cannabis – namely, the cannabinoid THC and its analogs. Some people can consume tons of THC without being much affected. Others feel knocked out from just a small dose. It’s also possible to build up a tolerance over time, which further modulates the body’s ability to process marijuana.

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Just like with alcohol or other drugs, the amount of bioactive consumed can be a big determinant in whether or not you get a hangover. But with smoking in particular, it is very difficult to control how much THC actually gets into the lungs and the bloodstream. Habitual smokers actually have a somewhat unconscious ability to smoke more efficiently compared to sporadic users or beginners.

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It doesn’t help that there are also lots of difficult-to-control variables coming from the weed itself. Different strains possess different strengths. THC concentration is relatively easy to quantify, but the contribution of lesser cannabinoids is not as well characterized – and these can vary greatly across strains. For example, CBD is shown to reduce the negative effects of THC, so consuming a lower ratio of THC:CBD could help ease negative side-effects.

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One qualitative study suggests that consuming delta-8-THC instead of the more common delta-9-THC could be a way to achieve a relaxing, mood-boosting high without the negative side effects, such as anxiety. This might help to mitigate the negative effects as well, at least from a psychological standpoint. Check out our specially curated products so that you can try it for yourself: do you have a nicer experience on delta-8-THC or on delta-9-THC?

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In summary, whether or not you get a hangover from weed can depend upon:

·       Your individual ability to metabolize cannabinoids

·       The ratio of THC:CBD

·       The amount of THC in the strain

·       Your personal smoking skills

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What Does the Science Say?

Our evidence is mainly anecdotal. There are only a couple of small, older studies that have tried to characterize a weed hangover. In one of these studies, a panel of subjects were given a standardized dose of cannabis or a placebo. The following morning, they were asked to perform a battery of tests. The researchers found that most measures were not affected.

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It’s possible however that a larger dose of THC would result in a hangover. The authors also acknowledged that perhaps they chose the wrong tests to capture the difference between the groups.

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One difference between the groups was that the cannabis group rated a significantly better mood compared to the placebo group the next morning. However, the authors attributed this to an artifact of the experimental method, saying that, “Apparently, subjects’ disgruntlement at not receiving [the] active drug carried over to the following morning.” (Although the study was blinded, all of the subjects were correctly able to identify whether they had received a placebo or real cannabis.)

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What Causes a Weed Hangover?

This is an important question, because it can help you determine how to avoid a weed hangover, as well as how to cure one.

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Because there is very little scientific research on weed hangovers, we don’t know exactly what is the cause of weed hangovers. There are two possibilities.

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One possibility is that the residual THC in your system can cause morning-after effects. Even after the acute effects of cannabis have worn off, THC is still measurable in the body. That’s why you can still detect cannabis on a drug test up to several weeks later.

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The second possibility is that the residual effects are indirectly a result of weed consumption. For example, perhaps you feel worse the day after smoking because you had poor quality sleep. (Despite the popular belief that THC can help sleep, there is evidence that it does the opposite.)

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It’s also common for people to consume weed in combination with alcohol, in which case alcohol is the more likely culprit for a hangover.

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Cannabis is good at increasing appetite, making it a useful therapy for anorexia. However, if getting the munchies causes you to make poor dietary choices, this could contribute to your next-day slump as well.

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Many people use cannabis as a therapeutic aid for anxiety. While it may appear to ease anxiety in the moment, chronic THC use is actually shown to increase baseline anxiety in the long-term. In other words, you might actually feel more anxious while you’re sober. It’s unclear if this would directly contribute to a “hangover” effect in the short-term, but it’s certainly worth considering.

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If you are a habitual user, you could also develop withdrawal symptoms whilst sober, which could contribute to hangover symptoms.

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In summary, indirect factors that could contribute to a weed hangover include:

·       consuming THC alongside alcohol or other drugs

·       disruption of sleep quality

·       unhealthy dietary choices

·       increased anxiety

·       withdrawal symptoms

How to Get Rid of a Weed Hangover

The best thing you can do is support your body in its recovery. Here are some things you can do to feel better more quickly:

·       Hydrate. THC and its metabolites are excreted mainly through the urine. Proper hydration will also help with other symptoms like dryness, headaches, and nausea.

·       Drink caffeine, but not too much. Caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties that can reduce headaches, but too much can backfire. Caffeine can also increase alertness and cognition.

·       Move your body. Exercise, even light movement, can help increase blood flow and recovery.

·       Eat healthy. Choosing nutrient-rich food will help support your body’s recovery process.

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The best way to avoid a weed hangover is not to get one in the first place. Here are some things you can do to avoid a weed hangover:

·       Don’t mix weed with other substances

·       Get adequate sleep

·       Stay hydrated

·       Make healthy food choices

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Does Weed Help a Hangover?

Some people certainly think so. But again, reports are anecdotal. It is true that cannabis can be used to help with certain hangover hallmarks like nausea and pain, which could explain why it appears to work for some people. You can test out THC, as well as its sister compounds like delta-8, delta-10, and 11-hydroxy.

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CBD (without THC) might also be a good option to try, since it has been proven to mitigate the body’s inflammatory response. Obviously, you should still pay attention to dosage – more is not necessarily better. You can try adding some drops of a CBD tincture into your coffee or tea to get the benefits of caffeine and CBD at the same time. Just make sure to select a product that doesn’t contain any THC.

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Once again, everyone is unique and what works for others may or may not work for you. If you want to use cannabis to help a hangover, you should combine it with other supportive actions, like hydration and sleep.

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As always, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.